Dispensing machine with nozzle cleaner



F. H. HEISS lETAI..

DISPENSING MACHINE WITH NOZZLE CLEANER MarchV 17, 1964 Original FiledFeb. 24, 1958 .faces the machine, but, more importantly,

` pensing operation United .States Patent O t .DISPENSING MACHINE WITHNozzLE CLEANER p Frederick H. Heiss, Rockford, Kenneth C. Rolin,

Patent No. 3,066,830, dated Dec. 4, 1962. Divided and this applicationGet. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 148,407

Claims. (Cl. 222-135) This invention relates to dispensing `machines forpaint colorants, paints and the like, andparticularly to a paintcolorant dispensing machine having apparatus for cleaning the dispensingnozzles. This application is a division -of Serial No. 717,017, iiledFebruray 24, 1958, and now Patent No. 3,066,830.

The paint colorant dispensing machine of the present invention relatesgenerally to a dispensing-machine of the type having a plurality ofseparate receptacles for receiving different paint colorants or paints,hereinafter generally referred to as paint colorants, and having aplurality of dispensing devices each ,individually to one of thereceptacles for dispensing measured quantities of colorant therefrom.Difficulties have been encountered in such machines in connection withdripping of paint colorant from the dispensing devices, aftertermination of the dispensing operation. Such dripping of paint not onlydethe dripping of the wrong paint colorant into the paint being mixed orcolored can produce contamination of the paint. In addition, the paintcolorants are generally suspended in a volatile vehicle so that thepaint colorant remaining on the dispensing mechanism after terminationof the distends to dry and solidify. After a pethe paint colorantresidue on the dispensing mechanism tends to build up and may causeclogging ofthe dispensing mechanism. In addition, lumps of the hardenedresidue may be discharged during a subsequent dispensing operation. Suchhardened lumps of Ypaint colorant do not mix readily with the paintbeing colored or Ymixed and, when the mixed paint is thereafter appliedto a surface, these lumps tend to smear `and proriod of operation,

duce streaks in the paint finish.

An important object of this` invention is to provide a paint colorantdispensing machine of the type described having Ian improved arrangementfor `preventing dripping of the paint colorant from the severaldispensing devices, when the latter are not being operated to dispensepaint colorant.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for dispensinga plurality of diiferent paint colorants, and which has mechanism forcleaning the tips of the dispensing nozzles on the several paintcolorant dispensing devices to prevent dripping of the coloranttherefrom and to also prevent formation of a hardened paint colorantresidue on the tips of the dispenser nozzles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a paint colorantdispensing machine having separate dispensing devices for dispensing aplurality of different paintcolorants, and a single nozzle cleaner whichis so arranged as to clean the ,tips lof the nozzles of all thedispensing devices, and in such a manner ias -to avoid contamination ofthe vdispenser nozzles with colorant from a different. dispensingmechanism.

Yet another olbject of this invention is to provide a colorantdispensing machine of the type having a plurality of paint colorantdispensing devices mounted for rotation abouta generallyupright axis toenable positioning of any selected one of the dispensing devices at adispensing station, with a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the tips ofthe nozzles on the dispensing devices in response to index- 3,125,252Patented Mar. 17, 1964 ice ing of the dispensing devices and Without.requiring a separate drive for the cleaning mechanism.

These, together with various ancillary objects and advantages of thisinvention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following ldetailed description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

-F-IG. l is a side View of the dispensing machine With parts broken awayand shown in section to illustrate details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the dispensingmachine, taken on the plane 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the plane 3-#3 of FIG.2.

The present application is a division of the copending application ofFrederick H. Heiss, Kenneth C. Rolin and Francis I. Baudhuin forDispensing Machine, Serial Number 717,017, filed February 24, 1958.

As disclosed more fully in the aforementioned application, thedispensing mechanism generally includes a carrier 9 mounted for rotationabout its axis and having a plurality of annularly spaced receptacles orreservoirs 10 for receiving and storing a `plurality of different paintcolorant materials. A plurality of dispensing devices 11 are provided,one for each receptacle, and which dispensing devices are operable todispense measured quantities of paint colorants from the respectivereceptacle. In the embodiment illustrated, the dispensing devices 11 arearranged to be operated by a common loperator 12 which is mounted at oneside of the carrier and positioned so as to operate any selected one ofthe disepnsing devices which is aligned therewith. A selectivelyadjustable mechanism 14 is provided for adjusting the stroke oftheoperator 12 to thereby selectively vary the quantity of paint colorantdispensed.

As best shown in FIGS. l and 2, the machine includes a case having arigid front Wall 16, spaced side walls 17, and a rear wall 18 to definean enclosure for the dispensing mechanism. A cover 19 overlies thefront, side and rear walls of the case. A support frame 21 is providedfor rotatably supporting the carrier and includes a central hub forsupporting an axially extending spindle 22 on l compartments in thecanister to enable replenishing of the material in the canister withoutrequiring removal of the top 30. Removable covers 32 are provided forcovering each of the openings 31 to thereby completely enclose thecompartments in the canister. Agitators 27 are advantageously providedin each of the receptacles and, as shown, are rotated by means of astationary belt 28 which engages pulleys 29 on the upper ends of theagitator-s.

'Ilhe dispensing devices 11 may be of any construction Suitable fordispensing measured quantities of paint colorants from the respectivereceptacle and, as best shown in FIG. 3, include a cylinder 35 whichcommunicates at one end with la respective receptacle 10i. .A piston 37is slidably disposed in each cylinder and yhas a rod extending upwardlytherefrom. The -u-pperend of the rod 38 termifrom the respectivereceptacle to tiow therepast into the cylinder below the piston. Adispensing nozzle 41 is provided at the lower end of each cylinder 35and, as shown, the nozzle has ra generally conical coniigurat-ion and adispensing opening 42 adjacent the apex thereof. A check valve 43 ismounted in the cylinder 35 above the dispensing opening, and is arrangedto open when lthe pressure is applied to the paint colonant in thecylinder dur-ing a dispensing operation, and to close when the piston isretracted to its initial posit-ion. The streng-th ot the spring 44 forclosing Ithe check valve is selected as to be at least suflicient toprevent the check valve from opening under the pressure exerted thereonby the column ot material and the piston disposed thereof. However, whenthe .piston is extended by the application orf pressure to the lrod 38,the pressure exerted by the liquid colorant in the cylinder 35 on the.check valve is sucien-t to overcome :the spring and permit paintcolorant to flow through the valve.

The common operator L2 is more fully disclosed and claimed in theaforementioned copending application and reference is made to thatapplication ifor a more complete description of the construction andopenation of the operator 12. In general, the operator includes a jaw 51which is disposed in the path of movement of the heads 39 on the pistonro ds 3'8, and is shaped to permit the heads to pass as the carrier isrotated. The operator illustrated herein is duid operated and includes acylinder `53 having a piston therein connected to the jaw 51. Fluid issupplied to the operator cylinder 53 trom a motor and pump assembly 54under the control of suitable valves (not shown), and the stop mechanism14 is arranged to selectively adjust the stroke :of the jaw. 'Iihe stopmechanism 14 includes a cam plate 56 disposed in the path of movement ofthe jaw 51, and which cam plate is rotatable by means of a knob 57 toprovide an adjustable stop for selectively changing the stroke of thejaw.

The case for the dispensing mechanism has an access opening 6|1 in thefront wall thereof below the lower end of lthe dispensing devices 11,and a shield including opposed side walls 62, a top wall 63 and a rearwall 64 is disposed around the opening 61 and extendsinto the case to iaposition below the dispensing devices to deline 'a dispensing station.An opening 65 is provided in the top wall 63 and side walls '612 of theshield to permit dispensing of materials from the dispensing devices-1l1 into la can P disposed at the dispensing station. The carrier 9 isrotatable to enable positioning of any selected one of the dispensingdevices r11 at the dispensing station, and may be rotated -by hand or bypower operated mechanisrn such as the motor 618 Iwhich is drivinglyconnected to the caprier through gearing 619.

'llhe colorants to be dispensed from the machine are in readily flowableliquid form and, in order that the co-lorants not yadversely atleet thedrying characteristics of the base paint when the colorants are addedthereto, the colorants are preferably of the so called drying-typecolorants. Such colorants in general include the coloring pigment, asuitable drying-type oil such as linsced maleic oil and a thinner suchas mineral spirits to produce the desired dow characteristics. Suchdryingstype colorants, however, tend to evaporate and harden whenexposed to 4Although the check valve 46 effectively prevents paintcolorant in the dispensing cylinder 35 from ilowing through the nozzle41 when the dispensing mechanism is not in operation, a small amount ofthe paint colorant which is dispensed through the nozzle does cling tothe nozzle around the opening 42 after termination ot the dispensingstroke. This paint colorant tends to collect and drip from the tip ofthe nozzle aiter completion of the dispensing stroke and during indexingof the carrier and dispensing devices into .and out of position at thedispensing station. Any paint colonant which drips onto the machineobviously defaces the machine and may impair operation :and impedesubsequent servicing of the machine. If the colorant drips from thenozzle as the dispensing mechanism moves past the dispensing station,the colonant can tall into the paint can P and contaminate the pain-ttherein. In addition, as pointed out above, the liquid vehicle of thecolorant is `generally of the type which evaporates and/or oxidizes uponexposure to air, :leaving a solid or semi-solid residue. This resi-due,allowed to collect on the tip of the nozzle, can partially or whollyplug the dispensing opening in the nozzle and thus interfere with properdispensing. Moreover, pant of this partially hardened residue may bedislodged in a subsequent dispensing operation, thereby discharging almnp or clot of the colorant into the paint pail. Such a lump will notreadily mix with the paint :being colored or mixed, fand, when the paintis subsequently .applied to a surface, the lump will smear and otherwisedamage the paint surface.

To overcome these problems, a nozzle cleaner is provided dor removingthe excess paint colorant from the tips of the nozzle. Although evensmall quantities of one colorant can markedly contaminate anothercolorant mixed therewith, it has been found Ithat a common cleaningapparatus constructed in the manner described hereinaifter, can be usedto clean all of the nozzles without contaminating different colonants.nozzle cleaner includes a small container 71 adapted to contain aminerala-type solvent and having a roller 72 disposed therein androtatably supported on pintles 73. An absorbent cover 74 is provided onthe roller and larranged to engage the tips ofthe nozzles 42, as thecarrier is rotated, so that the roller is rotated through a part of a'turn each time a nozzle 42 `wipes thereacross. Tlhe colorant collectedon the nozzle is wiped onto the roller 72 and is conveyed by the rollerinto vthe mineral solvent in the receptacle or container 71, whichsolvent dissolves the colonant from the roller `and permits the pigmentin the colorant to Isettle into the bottom of the container.Conveniently, the container 71 is removably supported on a bracket 76,herein shown attached to lone of the side walls 62 of the shield aroundthe dispensing station, to enable easy removal ot lthe nozzle cleanerthrough the access opening 61 in the case -for cleaning of the container71. Preferably, the bracket supponts the container in 'a position suchthat the roller extends genenally tangentially of the circle describedby the tips of the nozzles as the carrier is rotated.

Thus, as the carrier is rotated to position different dispensing devicesat the dispensing station, the nozzles engage the roller 72 and turn thesame through a part of a. turn. In this manner, successive nozzlesengage different peripheral portions` of the roller and progressivelyturn the roller to immerse the periphery of the roller in the solvent.As the roller is slowly rotated through the solvent, the colorant isdissolved and settles to the bottom of the container, and the cleanedportion of the roller moves upwardly to be engaged by succeedingnozzles. The wiper or cleaner not only removes the material from thenozzle to prevent dripping, but also prevents collection of a hardresidue around the tip of the nozzle which could impede dispensing orresult in a dispensing of a hardened slug of colorant which would notmix properly with the paint.

We claim:

l. A machine for dispensing paint colorants and the like containingcolored pigment in a liquid vehicle cornprising, means defining aplurality of receptacles for storing a plurality of different paintcolorants, dispensing means communicating with each receptacle andhaving a downwardly facing dispensing nozzle individual to eachreceptacle, common means for cleaning the tips of all of said dispensingnozzles including a solvent container containing a solvent for paintcolorant, a wheel mounted for rotation about its axis with the undersideof the wheel projecting into the solvent container to be partiallyimmersed in the solvent therein, and means for eiecting relativemovement between the wheel and the dispensing nozzles along a pathtransverse to the axis of the wheel and intersecting the upper peripheryof the wheel whereby the wheel wipes the tips of the nozzles and thenozzles engage and turn the wheel through the solvent in the containerto dissolve the colorant on the wheel and allow the colored pigment tosettle to the bottom of the container.

2. A machine for dispensing paint colorants and the like containingcolored pigment in a liquid vehicle comprising, a carrier mounted forrotation about a generally upright axis and having a plurality ofreceptacles for storing a plurality of different paint colorants,dispensing means communicating with each receptacle and having adownwardly facing dispensing nozzle individual to each receptacle, saiddispensing means being movable with said carrier and said nozzles beingarranged in an annular bank around the axis of said carrier, commonmeans for cleaning the tips of all of said dispensing nozzles includinga container containing a solvent for paint colorant, a wheel mounted forrotation about its axis with the underside of the wheel projecting intothe solvent container to be partially immersed in the solvent therein,the tips of said nozzles being movable with said carrier in a pathgenerally tangent to the periphery of the wheel whereby the wheel wipesthe tips of the nozzles as they successively move therepast and thenozzles engage and turn the wheel through the solvent in the container tdissolve the colorant on the wheel and allow the colored pigment tosettle to the bottom of the container.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the wheel has an absorbentperipheral portion adapted to absorb and retain some of said solvent asthe wheel rotates through the solvent.

4. A machine for dispensing paint colorants and the like containingcolored pigment in a liquid vehicle comprising, a casing, a carriermounted in said casing for rotation about a generally upright axis andhaving a plurality of receptacles for storing a plurality of dilferentpaint colorants, dispensing means communicating with each receptacle andhaving a downwardly facing dispensing nozzle individual to eachreceptacle, said casing having a dispensing opening therein defining adispensing station for receiving a paint container, said carrier beingrotatable to position any selected one of said dispensing nozzles atsaid dispensing station and said nozzles being arranged in an annularbank around the axis of said carrier, common means for cleaning the tipsof all of said dispensing nozzles including a solvent containercontaining a solvent for paint colorant, means removably mounting saidsolvent container in said casing adjacent said dispensing opening in thecasing to enable removal of the solvent container through the dispensingopening for cleaning and replenishing the solvent in the solventcontainer, a wheel mounted for rotation about its axis on said containerwith the underside of the wheel projecting into the solvent container tobe partially immersed in the solvent therein, the tips of said nozzlesbeing movable with said carrier in a path generally tangent to theperiphery of the wheel whereby the wheel wipes the tips of the nozzlesas they successively move therepast and the nozzles engage and turn thewheel through the solvent in the container to dissolve the colorant onthe wheel and allow the colored pigment to settle to the bottom of thecontainer.

5. A machine for dispensing colorants comprising, a rotatably mountedcarrier having a plurality of annularly spaced compartments forreceiving dilerent paint colorants, a measuring device communicatingwith each compartment and having a dispensing nozzle, means for rotatingsaid carrier, means for cleaning the tips of said nozzles including asolvent container, a Wheel mounted for rotation about a generallyhorizontal axis and extending part way into said container, said wheelhaving the upper periphery thereof positioned in the path of movement ofthe tips of said nozzles to successively engage the same as the carrieris rotated to wipe the excess colorant therefrom and to be rotatedthereby through the solvent in the container.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,787,402 Stiner et al. Apr. 2, 1957 2,848,019 Corbin et al. Aug. 19,1958 2,951,617 De Brock Sept. 6, 1960 2,975,939 Russell et al. Mar. 2l,1961 2,985,339 Fischer et al. May 23, 1961 3,015,415 Marsh et al. Jan.2, 1962 3,029,847 Baudhuin etal Apr. 17, 1962

1. A MACHINE FOR DISPENSING PAINT COLORANTS AND THE LIKE CONTAININGCOLORED PIGMENT IN A LIQUID VEHICLE COMPRISING, MEANS DEFINING APLURALITY OF RECEPTACLES FOR STORING A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT PAINTCOLORANTS, DISPENSING MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH EACH RECEPTACLE ANDHAVING A DOWNWARDLY FACING DISPENSING NOZZLE INDIVIDUAL TO EACHRECEPTACLE, COMMON MEANS FOR CLEANING THE TIPS OF ALL OF SAID DISPENSINGNOZZLES INCLUDING A SOLVENT CONTAINER CONTAINING A SOLVENT FOR PAINTCOLORANT, A WHEEL MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS AXIS WITH THE UNDERSIDEOF THE WHEEL PROJECTING INTO THE SOLVENT CONTAINER TO BE PARTIALLY IM-